I’d had the opportunity to test the new Lancome Oscillation mascara recently and later, while I was passing by an Estee Lauder counter, tested out their new Turbo Lash mascara. Both are vibrating mascaras and both were released for the first time about 6 months ago in the USA. This is the first time both brands have launched their vibrating mascaras here in Malaysia and the question is this :
In the battle of the vibrating mascaras, who wins?
Well, that’s what I’m here to help you find out! 🙂
Lancome Oscillation Mascara (RM120)
The Lancome Oscillation Mascara comes in a nondescript looking black mascara tube. You can open it up and use it just like any normal mascara. The secret lies in the little button on the cap.
Press the button and hold it down and you will find a pleasant mild buzz on your finger tips as the mascara tip vibrates and oscillates to coat your lashes with mascara. Release, and the buzz stops.
What this does is allow for control. You can use this mascara like any normal mascara or you can press the button to oscillate the mascara head to order, to coat your lashes as thickly as you want and to give you the volume and length you desire. Or you can mix and match for maximum effect. I can personally vouch for length – the Lancome Oscillation mascara definitely adds visible length to puny lashes. You can also dispense with the zig zag motion as the oscillation takes care of that.
Lancome also says that you do not need a lash curler before applying the mascara as the oscillating head would help curl your lashes and the mascara will hold the curl. I cannot vouch for this because I already had mascara on my lashes when I was testing it out. Having stick straight lashes that cannot curl without a curler I would love to test this claim out!
The Lancome Oscillation Mascara launches in Malaysia in April 2009 but will go on presale on Feb 4 at Isetan KLCC by prior booking. Only 400 pieces are up for preview grabs and the mascara will retail for RM120.
Estee Lauder Turbo Lash Mascara (RM115)
The Estee Lauder Turbo lash too is a vibrating mascara. This comes in a sumptous looking gold and navy blue striped mascara tube that certainly catches the eye.
Unlike Lancome’s Oscillation mascara, the Estee Lauder Turbo Lash wand starts to vibrate the minute you turn the cap open. The vibration is also quite strong as it is not only the mascara head that vibrates but practically the whole wand. To stop the vibration, replace the wand into the bottle and shut the cap.
I found that this automatic vibrating mechanism made it a little hard to control as the vibration was more intense than that of Lancome’s Oscillation. You cannot see the vibration in either mascara – its vibrating too fast, but you can feel it and when you take a few minutes to put on mascara, your fingers can easily get numb with continuous vibrations.
Estee Lauder Turbo Lash too is touted as being able to curl your lashes without a curler. Again I could not test this claim out on my stick straight Asian lashes. It was volumizing though but I am told it is not waterproof nor water resistant.
The Estee Lauder Turbo Lash mascara retails for RM115 and is presently out of stock until March 2009 or thereabouts.
Lancome Oscillation or Estee Lauder Turbo Lash?
Having tested both vibrating mascara, I would pick Lancome Oscillation over Estee Lauder Turbo Lash for these reasons:-
- I like the control over the oscillation or vibration that Lancome offers with the push of a button. It is less finger numbing and makes it easier to apply the mascara without being distracted by whether or not you will poke your eye out with a vibrating tip.
- Lancome’s formula is water resistent. I cannot bear panda eyes and it removes easily anyway.
Both companies claim that their battery operated wands can last up to 9 months – way beyond the lifespan of the mascara itself.
The difference in price is only RM5 and both mascaras are pricey anyway so price did not factor in my decision. If I only get one beauty gadget this year it will be the Lancome Oscillation mascara.
Have you tried either vibrating mascara? Which do you prefer?
Stay beautiful,
Paris B
Ooh good one! =D “battle of the vibrating mascaras” Tee hee…
Of course, the point is moot. No way am I spending over a hundred on ANY mascara… except maybe Diorshow.. for a very special occasion. =P
Hey Kahani
Killing 2 birds with 1 stone! 😉
nice one! yup, the lancome one gets my vote too…at least you have the option of applying it WITHOUT the vibration rather than getting a buzz every single time you open the tube.
that said though, i’d also echo kahani on the “spend >RM100 on a mascara?? no thanks…”
Hiya Beetrice,
Vibration is good in small doses yes? 🙂 Its pricey but one of those things that if you just buy one, better don’t make a mistake!
I am happy to have tried Lancome’s Oscillation, I would say I like it that it has a press on/off button because in between application, I would release the button to make sure I apply it the right way, I don’t like it that EL is automatic, lol when you described it, I was imagining it already and I know I’ll have a hard time with it. NAY also to EL for not being Waterproof, in countries we live in, WATERPROOF really is vital for mascaras!
Thanks for the comparison!
Hiya Nikki,
The Oscillation is pretty interesting eh? Especially how you can turn it on and off. Waterproof is also essential for me.
eee…. my eyes feeling itchy wanna try some vibration. heee hee. When you said that the Estee mascara vibrates the moment you screw off the cap I was imagining it going out of control!
Hi Connie,
LOL… If you go to the Estee Lauder counter you will see the mascara wand swinging wildly. I think the horror registered on my face because the girl told me “Don’t worry, you can’t see it” and you can’t. But still, that image stayed in my mind brr…
goodness i want to try the lancome one! btw may i know which are the better mascaras you have used and prefer 🙂 coz i’m thinking of switching mascaras but im a die hard fan of dior iconic and chanel inimitable 🙁
Hi Cheryl,
I’ve only used Dior Iconic and haven’t tried Chanel Inimitable so I cannot compare the two. I do like the Anna Sui Full DX and I’ve had personal good experience with Lancome mascara in general. I also quite liked the Guerlain Le 2 brush mascara if you are looking in higher end. On the lower end, I’d say Maybelline XXL isn’t bad although I don’t like the fat brushes Maybelline uses. I haven’t been using mascara long so I’m not an authority. Thing about mascara is that its a lot is to do with how much you like it and what it does for you not how much others like it 🙂
i tried lancome at the store. not on my lashes but just tested it for fun. not my kind of mascara as i’d ruin my eye makeup!!!
DH said it’s a sex toy for the lashes. grrrr
Hi Jojoba
The Lancome one really worked well for lengthening – I have to hand that to them.
This whole vibrating thing has me wondering if I’d ruin my entire makeup–I can see my hands moving crazily all around-haha!
Such extravagant pricing for mascara…and yet your challenge has made me very curious about the Lancome one!
Great challenge, thanks for the review!
Hey Monstro,
No you won’t ruin your makeup. In fact it doesn’t shake, just vibrates gently. Give it a shot… if you dare 😉
hi paris b,
i have tried this mascara quite awhile ago since we have it in the uk much earlier than in asia. 🙂 youre quite right about it being lengthening. i didnt get any volume whatsoever and truthfully i am quite disappointed with it. it is atrociously expensive as well. but then again, comb mascaras arent my thing. its back to lancome hypnose for me. 🙂
Hi Aretha
Thanks for coming by. I do agree – lengthening but no volume. Its always one or the other isn’t it?
I’ve always wanted to get Lancome vibrating mascara or my thin lashes. This review really helps, but i think I’ll wait a few more years since I’m not in the age that need to use it everyday. 😛
Have you tried Givenchy Phenomen Mascara? The one with the head like a durian.
I tried it last month, and it’s so scary! I swept it to my lashes once and I can actually FEEL my lashes curling by itself! I could see a gained volume also. Easy to wear.
The only downside is the mascara clots. But I’m sure it’s because the tester is old and dry after too many people used it. It’s almost empty when I tried it.
Hi Muta
I haven’t tried the Givenchy one – Givenchy counters seem to have disappeared off the face of Malaysia! I have seen the pictures though. I’ll report if I try it. Thanks.
HI, Paris B
I have not tried either of these two vibrating mascaras, but its all over beauty magazines making it almost impossible to go unnoticed.
I would give credits to the inventor *who would have thought of a vibrating mascara, of all things!*, but it made me ponder if it REALLY served a purpose ?
I know that many beauty gurus suggest that one should wiggle the wand of your mascara from root to tip, to avoid clumps along your lashes, but isn’t it sufficient if you can just do it by HAND alone ?
In your review, you mentioned that the Lancome one was your preferred choice, but I would like to know if there are any special effects (eg:lengthening or volumising effect) that it does as compared to the normal conventional mascara ??
Hi Mag,
I guess its innovation – staying one step ahead of the game 🙂 It does serve a purpose – it makes us a little bit lazier when it comes to applying mascara because now the vibration/oscillation does it for you instead of you having to use the zig zag motion, and you don’t need a curler too. I did find Lancome lengthening – nothing dramatic, but it was easy to use and I’m told it can curl without a curler – but I couldn’t put that to the test.
Arr… I’m an idiot with mascaras. I already have trouble wielding the conventional one, let alone one which oscillates! BTW, have you checked out the Givenchy one? It oscillates too; the tip is like a round prickly ball and that is the oscillating bit. They wanted to try it on me at Myer but I wouldn’t touch it with a 10-feet pole. I’ll, err, stick to my conventional ones. Less chances of poking my eyes out. 🙂
(Having said all that, the EL mascara wins handsdown when it comes to packaging. The royal blue with gold brings up a very Egyptian-ish feel!)
Hey Geekchic
Actually, the oscillating one is easier to handle than conventional ones because you don’t have to do a thing! Mechanics does it for you 🙂 I can’t even find a Givenchy counter here – real bummer! I do agree with the Egyptian feel of the Estee mascara – it certainly caught my eye!
I got Estee Lauder Turbolash for my birthday and I totally love it. This mascara is easy to use and makes my eye lashes look like falsies. It is my beauty holy grail =)
I’ve tried the Lancome over the counter yesterday and the result was amazing.The moment u apply it with the vibration, u see ur lashes curling and lengthening.
The effect for me was like putting fake lashes as it does thicken and defined every lashes.
Plus point – it lasted more than 8 hours including my 1 hour nap in the office.
Hello noone mentions the battery i.e. can we replace it? Mine only lasted a month before it died and after handing over cash for it have no proof of purchase. I loved it though but very disappointing to find its short lifespan. Anyone found this too?
I live in Australia.
Hi Chez
I seem to have recalled someone changing the battery. It uses one of those flat batteries and its in the cap. I haven’t done it myself though – My Lancome is still going strong even after the mascara dried up.